Meds wrote:Enter Kiprusoff and Dutter. A miracle trip to the Finals in 2004, that was VERY reminiscent of Anaheim's run on the back of Giguere, and suddenly the Flames are the post lockout hockey world's heavy favorites.

They didn't add much in the way of marquis talent either.

They had a good regular season, won the NW, and then got bounced in 7 by the Ducks in the first round.

For some reason they were still considered a contender for a few more seasons despite 3 more quarter final exits.

The ONLY reason they were considered a contender was that Kipper continued to show he could steal games, and if he can do that, he can steal a series. Add a bit of luck and you got a recipe for a long playoff run. The fans and management drank the koolaid and overpaid for immediate results. They then spent half a decade longer than the rest of the world believing they were one or two players away from a championship team.

Meds wrote:Enter Kiprusoff and Dutter. A miracle trip to the Finals in 2004, that was VERY reminiscent of Anaheim's run on the back of Giguere, and suddenly the Flames are the post lockout hockey world's heavy favorites.

They didn't add much in the way of marquis talent either.

They had a good regular season, won the NW, and then got bounced in 7 by the Ducks in the first round.

For some reason they were still considered a contender for a few more seasons despite 3 more quarter final exits.

The ONLY reason they were considered a contender was that Kipper continued to show he could steal games, and if he can do that, he can steal a series. Add a bit of luck and you got a recipe for a long playoff run. The fans and management drank the koolaid and overpaid for immediate results. They then spent half a decade longer than the rest of the world believing they were one or two players away from a championship team.

I think that most analysts have them figured out now, and even with Burkie Baby, they will be fighting for the 1st round pick for a few years.

BCExpat wrote:I'm willing to see what he can do for the next three seasons or so.

Four more years.

Glad you finally agree.

Finally agree?? I never thought otherwise. These guys are at rock bottom - you don't go from rock bottom to a contender or even a playoff team in less than that time frame. I think it could even be more than 3 or 4 years before they are even fighting for a playoff spot. I'm willing to sit it out.

Anyway, if the team looks like it still isn't going anywhere in about 4 years, then I'll admit that the Burke experiment was a failure. In four years, I would expect the team to be at least competing for a playoff spot, and have lots of good propects at all positions, ready to take the next step. I just hope the Flames ownership has the same opinion.